In 2005, Kevin decided to take on an apprentice as a way to give back. After discussing goals, needs, and music preferences (it came down to Rickie Lee Jones) with Krista Loomans, they decided to give apprenticeship a try. Krista began working at Tye River in August of that year. She stacked wood, mixed glazes, recycled clay, helped fire the noborigama, drank a lot of tea, all the while listening to Rickie Lee, and learning from Kevin how to throw and wood fire pots.

Krista came to Kevin's having taken classes with teachers Kyla Dickson and Jill Hinckley at Hinckley Pottery in Washington, D.C.

"As my throwing skills progressed, I realized I was learning to see pots in a different way. Kevin talked a lot about 'resolving the line,' and after throwing pot after pot, I began to understand. Now, after my third year learning from Kevin, that line intrigues and excites me."

Krista is committed to the wood-firing way of life and, in July 2008, departed for Minneapolis with boyfriend and potter Aaron Weaver to work toward setting up a studio and wood-fired kiln there. "The life has a beautiful ebb and flow. I'm grateful I found it, and so grateful Kevin and his family have shared it with me. Thank you, Kevin, Linda, Bram and Kai!"

Feel free to contact Krista at KristaLoomans@yahoo.com.